ED MCLAUGHLIN NAMED VCU DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

McLaughlin has been athletics director at Niagara University
since 2006 and is credited with leading the greatest period of
athletic success in that school’s history, improving the
student-athlete experience and winning more conference titles in
his six years at Niagara than in the previous 75 years
combined.

McLaughlin, 39, was chosen after a national search that produced
more than 50 exceptional candidates.

“The future is bright for VCU athletics with the
high-energy, dynamic leadership of Ed McLaughlin,” Rao said.
“Ed’s vision and passion for our athletic programs, his
understanding of VCU’s mission to be a premier public
research university and the search committee’s strong
endorsement made him the clear choice to be our director of
athletics. He is the right person for us at the right
time.”

As Niagara’s athletic director, McLaughlin successfully
led a Division I athletics program with more than 300 student
athletes and 18 sports. His program is noted for the academic
success of student athletes, with 70 percent of them earning GPAs
of 3.0 or higher, as well as record attendance in several sports
and exceptional fundraising.

“I relish the opportunity to lead VCU athletics into the
next phase of success while serving as a leading member of the
university community,” McLaughlin said. “I know the
opportunity for success at VCU has no limits, including the ability
to win NCAA championships and to build leaders who excel in the
classroom and in competition.”

Prior to his position at Niagara University, McLaughlin was an
associate athletic director at American University in Washington,
D.C., and assistant director of athletics at Merrimack College in
Andover, Mass. He also has served as Commissioner of College Hockey
America.

McLaughlin is a 1995 graduate of Boston College with a B.A. in
political science and communications. He also holds a
master’s degree in health promotion management from American
University.

McLaughlin and his wife, Shelley, have a daughter, Hannah, age
11, and sons, Liam, 8 and Rian, 5.